Jewel setting

ABSTRACT

A jewel setting having three prongs and three elongated supported members extending therebetween thus creating a void therein for retaining a jewel. The support members run generally perpendicular to the prongs thereby forming a lower space for a jewel point to rest. Rounded surfaces near a top of the prongs prevent the jewel from escaping the void.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to jewel setting. More particularly, a simple jewel setting for reducing the number of prongs required to hold a jewel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] Settings for jewels are prolific in the patent literature. In fact, United States patents are far back as 1916 claim subject matter directed to settings for precious stones. Unfortunately, many of the settings are complex and too ostentatious for realistic use.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 1,204,916 to Whitehouse describes a setting having six prongs defining a space therebetween. A wire cage secured within the defined space holds a cluster of precious stones. The design is overly complicated and only has applications with stone clusters, not individual stones.

[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 2,200,841 to Gaertner describes a two member setting having a body section and a mounting section. As illustrated, the mounting section resides within a space defined by the four body section posts. The design requires a plurality of posts working in conjunction with a plurality of pins integrated on the mounting section. The pins have seats for burnishing a gem girdle. Again, the setting is overly complex and further involves multiple pieces, albeit welded together.

[0005] U.K. Patent GB 2,218,319 A to French describes a snap-engaged claw setting. A ring snap fits over a plurality of claws having hooked ends for snap-engaging a gem girdle or rim. Any unintentional disconnection of the ring and claws will result in an unsupported gem. In other words, should the ring manage to be dislodged from its optimal position, the claws will not engage the gem and the gem will likely be lost.

[0006] The present invention solves the aforementioned shortcomings attributable to settings by having a simple one-piece design including three prongs supported by three joining members near a base of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a simple and reliable jewel setting.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-assuming reliable jewel setting.

[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a means for reducing the number of prongs required on a jewel setting.

[0010] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a setting capable of easy fabrication.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention comprises a jewel setting having at least three equally-spaced prongs defining a space therebetween, the prongs extending from a common point. Said point being at a first end of an earring shank for passing through a user's ear lobe. The second end of the shank is for receiving an earring butterfly catch on a back of the user's ear lobe.

[0012] Extending from prong to prong are elongated support members. A support member extends from a first prong to connection with a second prong, from the second prong to connection with a third prong and from the third prong to connection with the first prong. The elongated support members are preferably spaced from the common prong point in the direction of the space defined by the three prongs. The at least three elongated support members are positioned such that they, along with portions of the prongs, form a small opening for receiving a bottom pointed tip of a jewel.

[0013] Besides providing increased support in a simple design, the prongs and support members are effectively hidden from view when the present invention is implemented in an earring design. The support members are permanently integrated with the prongs such that the setting is a one piece unit excluding the butterfly catch. Preferably, the support members are fabricated of the same material, in the same color, used for fabricating the prongs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014]FIG. 1 is a top view (toward display surface of a jewel) of the present invention with the jewel and butterfly catch removed;

[0015]FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention showing the position of a jewel;

[0016]FIG. 3 s a side view of the present invention showing a butterfly catch and jewel;

[0017]FIG. 4 s a bottom view (from underneath a jewel) of the present invention without a butterfly catch; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of the present invention showing the jewel removed from the three prongs and the butterfly catch removed from the shank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Reference is now made to the figures wherein like parts are referred to by like numerals throughout. FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of the jewel setting of the present invention incorporated into an earring, without a jewel set therein, including three prongs 5 and three elongated support members 10. The prongs 5 extend from a common point 7 and are equally-spaced and define a space 8 therebetween. The space is adapted for receipt of a jewel 1. The prongs 5 further include rounded upper surfaces 6 for grabbing a jewel girdle 2. A shank 12 is attached to said setting at the common point 7 thereby forming an earring. It should be noted that the setting can be used in other jewelry pieces including rings, etc. FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom view of the setting incorporated in an earring.

[0020] The three elongated support members 10 extend between each of the prongs 5 such that the members 10 join two adjacent prongs. A second space 11 defined by the prongs 5 and the support members 10 is for receiving a bottom point 15 of the jewel 1. In this manner, the jewel 1 is secured between the rounded top surfaces 6 of the prongs 5 and the support members 10. Additionally, the support members 10 prevent the jewel 1 from undesirably shifting within the space defined by the prongs 5.

[0021] Now referring to FIG. 2, a jewel 1 is shown in place between the rounded top surfaces 6 of the prongs 5 and the support members 10. By engaging a top surface of the jewel 1, the surfaces 6 of prongs 5 operate to hold the jewel 1 in place. Support members 10 cradle the jewel 1 from its bottom point 15. In this arrangement, the jewel 1 is fitted between the surfaces 6 of prongs 5 at a jewel 1 upper surface and the support members 10 at a jewel lower surface or point 15.

[0022]FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the jewel setting having a jewel 1 and butterfly catch 20 in place. The butterfly catch 20 operates to hold the earring incorporating the jewel setting in place on a wearer's ear. FIG. 5 shows the jewel setting, the jewel 1 and the butterfly catch 20 in a disengaged manner.

[0023] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a preferred embodiment, additional variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit of the invention as described and defined in the following claims. 

I claim:
 1. A jewel setting comprising: three or more prongs extending from a common lower point defining a void, said prongs including means for gripping a jewel near a top surface thereof; and three or more support members, each said support member extending between two of the prongs such that the support members and the prongs define a space for receipt of lower portion of a jewel.
 2. The jewel setting of claim 1 further including a post attached to, and extending from, a lower common point of said prongs.
 3. The jewel setting of claim 1 wherein said means for gripping said jewel overlap a portion of a face of the jewel.
 4. The jewel setting of claim 1 wherein said defined space receives a point of the jewel. 